With the arrival of the two internationally renowned artists Jenny Marketou from Greece and Kamila Chomicz from Poland, an intensive and inspiring first stay in Seestadt began. These two artists are part of the Turning the Tide project, which deals with the role of art and culture in addressing climate change. In their first week in Vienna, they experienced a varied program full of new impressions, discussions, and encounters.
Meeting with Gabriele Plank
At the beginning of the week, Jenny and Kamila met Gabriele Plank, District Councilor of Donaustadt and an enthusiastic advocate of Seestadt. In their first meeting, the artists exchanged ideas and projects they plan to develop during their four-week stay. Gabriele Plank, who plays an important role in urban development, provided valuable insights into the dynamic structure of Seestadt and ongoing developments. She was particularly interested in the ecological approaches and sustainable aspects of Jenny and Kamila’s artistic work.
Extensive Tour with Gunther Laher
A highlight of the first week was an extensive tour of Seestadt, led by Gunther Laher, program manager of the City of Vienna and responsible for urban development projects such as Seestadt. Together with the artists, Gabriele Plank, and other participants, Seestadt was explored in all its facets. Gunther Laher provided insights into the urban planning vision of Seestadt while also highlighting the ecological challenges that lie ahead. During the tour, innovative sustainable water usage projects and the importance of green spaces for the microclimate of Seestadt were also discussed.
Discussions and Workshops with Dear Hunter
A central part of the week was the intense discussions and workshops with Dear Hunter (Marlies Vermeulen and Remy Kroese). The Dutch artist duo has created a detailed map of Seestadt over the past few weeks, focusing on the element of water. In joint sessions, Jenny, Kamila, and Dear Hunter discussed artistic approaches, the connection between humans and nature, and how urban environments influence artistic projects. These discussions served as an essential foundation for the further work of the two artists within the Turning the Tide project.
Meeting with Peter Filipczak from the WBA
Another highlight of the week was the meeting with Peter Filipczak, a renowned expert and biologist who works for the Wiener Bildungsakademie. In a detailed discussion, Jenny and Kamila exchanged ideas with Peter about the biodiversity in Seestadt. Peter, who has a deep passion for Vienna’s flora and fauna, shared his knowledge of the local plant and animal life and the challenges posed by climate change. This meeting inspired the artists to incorporate ecological issues into their works and engage more deeply with Seestadt’s natural surroundings.
Meeting with Christian Haas and Pia Maria Wieninger
An important meeting during the first week was the exchange with Christian Haas, District Councilor of Donaustadt and an expert in sustainable energy and electricity supply. In a lively conversation, Jenny and Kamila discussed the challenges associated with the energy transition and climate change. Christian Haas explained the current renewable energy projects in Vienna and how they are integrated into sustainable urban development. In addition, the artists had the opportunity to meet with Pia Maria Wieninger, a councillor, and discuss women’s political issues in Vienna and Austria, which play a central role in local governance.
Visit to the Natural History Museum
A special excursion took Jenny and Kamila to the Natural History Museum of Vienna, where they engaged with the rich yet highly endangered biodiversity. Together with museum experts, they discussed the effects of species extinction and the global loss of biodiversity. These discussions sharpened the artist’s awareness of the ecological challenges we face and offered new inspiration for their artistic work, which deals with the relationship between humans and nature.
Visit to the Weekly Market
The visit to the weekly market in Seestadt provided a pleasant conclusion to the first week. Here, Jenny and Kamila experienced the vibrant community of Seestadt residents firsthand and immersed themselves in the daily life of the district. The market not only offered them the opportunity to discover local products but also to connect with the people of Seestadt and gain initial impressions of the neighbourhood’s social structure.
Dear Hunter Visit Kaiserbrunn
Dear Hunter had the opportunity to visit Kaiserbrunn, the place where one of the high spring water pipelines begins, that transports fresh spring water to Vienna. Kaiserbrunn, located in the Lower Austrian Alps, plays a central role in Vienna’s water supply. The crystal-clear water, which is delivered untreated directly into the city via the high spring pipelines, originates here. The visit provided Dear Hunter with fascinating insights into the technical achievement and the ecological balance necessary to ensure a sustainable water supply for Vienna.
The first week of Jenny Marketou and Kamila Chomicz was a promising and inspiring start to their artistic stay in Seestadt. They gained deep insights into the urban structure and the natural environment of this unique district while experiencing the connections between humans, nature, and architecture in a completely new way. Both artists were impressed by the diversity and richness of the urban and natural ecosystems that play such a central role in Seestadt.
The discussions about environmental protection, sustainability, and the importance of biodiversity have awakened a deep awareness in both artists of the challenges of our time. The initial ideas they developed during this intensive week are not only artistic responses to ecological questions but also a plea for more respect and mindfulness toward the environment. They emphasize the need to rethink the relationships between the city and nature, humans, and the environment in the age of climate change.
In the context of Turning the Tide, their work will draw attention to important issues such as the significance of water as a source of life, the preservation of biodiversity, and the promotion of sustainable urban development. Through collaboration with other artists, scientists, and the local community, a platform for exchanging ideas will be created to strengthen our relationship with nature and lead to a deeper understanding of the ecological and social challenges we face. The coming weeks promise to delve further into these themes and transform them into impressive artistic works that will attract attention both in Seestadt and internationally, inviting reflection.
In summary, two weeks since the project’s start in Vienna, Bernd Herger, project manager for the Wiener Bildungsakademie in the context of Turning the Tide, says: ‘Art and culture have the power to spark change and reach people in ways that go beyond words. In times of climate crisis, it is crucial to use these tools in solidarity to raise awareness of the challenges we face and develop solutions together. Through collaboration, creativity, and societal solidarity, we can shape a more sustainable and just future.’
*Special Announcement: Gallery Day in Seestadt on October 11th*
At the end of their first week, Jenny and Kamila are looking forward to the upcoming events, especially Gallery Day in Seestadt on October 11th. As part of this event, the two international artists, along with other local artists, will present an exhibition that showcases their works and insights from their first weeks in Seestadt. This group exhibition is part of the Turning the Tide project and will unite both local and international perspectives on ecological and societal issues. Stay tuned for more info!
